The folks who make up The Vampire Diaries' fan community are a rabid bunch: They're even nominated for their own People's Choice Award. "Our fans are the most extraordinary group," says exec producer Julie Plec, "and they are very vocal." There should be plenty of chatter now that Elena (Nina Dobrev) has officially hooked up with bad boy Damon (Ian Somerhalder), making Team Delena rapturous. And those Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Elena devotees? Not so much. "I will probably have to hide for a while!" jokes Plec.

That's advice Damon might want to take once his brother Stefan finds out about the tryst. ("He'll be in for a shock," says Plec.) But first, we'll let Somerhalder revel in his character's juicy new story line.

TV Guide Magazine: How did it feel to finally have "hot vampire sex," as Nina called it, with Elena in the November 29 episode?Somerhalder: The fans - and I - have been begging for that for a long time. It's payoff for them, but there are a lot of people out there, particularly dudes, who think Elena would be much better off if she were rid of both [Salvatore brothers].

TV Guide Magazine: You and Nina are a real-life couple - how does that affect the on-screen romance?Somerhalder: I'll just talk about the show. That sex scene had a lot of built-up passion, but also a more tender side. Damon's finally got Elena, and he's so happy, but he can't be sure that [her feelings] are real, and not just a result of him having sired her.

TV Guide Magazine: Does Elena want this love to be real as much as Damon does?Somerhalder: Absolutely. To Elena, it is real. But, again, is that the sire bond making her think that she loves him?

TV Guide Magazine: Stefan still doesn't know about Elena sleeping with Damon. What can we expect when he finds out?Somerhalder: [Laughs] Some gnarly blood, of course! Stefan is really hurt by them. It's a jagged pill for him to swallow.

TV Guide Magazine: Will it be good for the show if Elena and Damon stay together for a while?Somerhalder: I think it's good for the story: If Elena is with Damon, this sire bond is always an issue; plus, his brother's really angry. So until both of them know if it's true love, they've decided they're not going to sleep together again. There will be more romance and less sex. Damon wants to do the right thing, but losing Elena is not an option. It's a tough predicament for him.

TV Guide Magazine: Speaking of tough predicaments, Damon had agreed to help search for the vampire cure for Elena. Isn't he afraid that, if she reverts to being human, he will lose her?Somerhalder: Yes. It raises a good question. Damon feels guilty that she's turned, but if she stays a vampire, then she stays in love with him. And that's all he's ever wanted. He finally got it, and the sire-bond thing blew up in his face.

TV Guide Magazine: Awww. Poor Damon!Somerhalder: I know! The exploration of this relationship and the interaction between Damon and Stefan as a result is all very complicated and very dramatic. This story has really been great in a big way.

TV Guide Magazine: Sounds like you're having a blast with this story line.Somerhalder: Absolutely! It's not the Damon of Season 1, where he walks in, cracks some jokes and gets to take home a sorority girl. This is a lot more fun.

The Vampire Diaries airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.

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